Astyanax is a great, low-cost buy for 2D action-adventure fans. It’s challenging, contains some memorable scenes and foes, and has enough of its own personality (some of it gained by the kitsch-heavy interludes) to barely escape the Legendary Axe clone classification - though that distinction in itself, while marking lazy conceptualizing, also marks excellence and good taste.

There are some areas where hits feel
unavoidable, and sections with jumps can feel cheap when enemies
appear out of nowhere and attack, as being knocked back can send
you quickly into a pit. Despite these issues, this is a fun game with
lovely, simple anime cutscenes between levels that really add to
the story.

Overall, Astyanax isn't a bad game, and for those of us looking for hack-and- slash action on the NES, it is probably one of the better titles to choose from. Though the game does not rank among the best the 8-bit era has to offer, it will provide a couple of hours of fun - interspersed with the occasional expletive as you fall victim to another cheap pit death...

Astyanax, like many NES games, began its life as an arcade game, so there’s a possibility some features got taken out upon conversion. The principle of the game – move right and destroy things – is likely the same. The game’s features aren’t all bad: controls are solid, as good or better than Castlevania‘s similar controls, and some of the level design is very atmospheric and spooky. Nevertheless, you’re better off playing the games that Astyanax liberally borrows from.